You're not afraid ?" "No, I don't think I'm afraid," said Mike.
"Then come on." Without a moment's hesitation Vince began to lower himself down where he had so lately emerged, and Mike followed; but in a few minutes they had decided that they could do nothing without a light.

All they could make out was that there was a rugged slope, very steep and winding, going right away in the direction of the sea.

They picked up the loose stones beneath their feet, and threw them into the darkness, and listened to hear them go bounding down, striking the sides and floor; but there seemed to be no precipitous fall, and at last, thoroughly satisfied with their discovery, they climbed back into daylight, and sat down on the stones to rest and think.
"I've got it!" said Mike suddenly.

"It isn't what you think." "What is it, then ?" "An old mine, where they bored for lead in the old, old days." "No," said Vince stubbornly, "it's what I say--the channel of an old stream; and you'll see." "So will you, my lad, when we bring a lanthorn.

I say you'll find the walls sparkling with what-you-may-call-it--you know--that glittering lead ore, same as we've got specimens of in the cabinet at home." "No," said Vince; "you'll find that it'll be all smooth, worn granite at the sides, where the water has been running for hundreds of years." "Till it all ran away.